Claimed by the Mad Lycan King

”Maisie, come on, we have to go to the bungalow. Mrs. Sol has been waiting for us,” Caylin said, calling Maisie, who was still in her bedroom in the omega’s quarter. ”Why are you so late?”

Maisie stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her curly brown hair was tied in a ponytail on top of her head, and her soft brown eyes stared back at her.

She was not so beautiful that someone would look at her twice, but she was not ugly either. She had full lips and coarse hands from the labor she did.

But ever since she started working as Seara’s personal maid, her workload had reduced drastically; it was an easy job.

”Maisie, come on!” Caylin was being impatient because she didn’t move. ”You are pretty; stop staring in the mirror. Even so, I don’t think Royal Gamma Zephyr will look at you twice,” she said teasingly.

”Don’t worry, it’s not Zephyr that I want.” Maisie turned her head around and grinned at Caylin as she approached her, and they went together to the bungalow where Leia had been preparing the ingredients to cook something for Seara.

This afternoon, they were going to go to the hospital to check on Seara after Ace gave the green light for the visit.

***

Seara woke up to find Zade was tracing his finger absentmindedly against the scar on her left arm, where he had bitten her.

It was difficult to discern his expression because a lot of emotions ran through his mind. He looked both remorseful and enraged at the same time.

Seara could feel his murderous intent but also the helplessness whenever he glanced at her. She had never hated her condition this much before for not being able to heal quickly.

”I have your mark too,” Seara said lightly to ease the tension. She referred to her scar, which was the same as the mark she left on his hand when she bit him down months ago.

At that time, Zade also reassured her in a similar way. He said he was happy that she left her mark on him.

”You have marked me; I am not going anywhere,” Seara said in a gentle voice as she caressed Zade’s arm with her healthy hand. ”We are together for the rest of our lives, right?”

Zade didn’t budge; his fingers stiffened as he realized Seara had woken up. He had been very quiet and would only talk when she asked him, but it was clear to see that he was on edge. Whether it was his guilt or because of his beast, Zade looked as if he were holding back a lot of things.

”Look at me, Zade...” Seara said; she tugged at his sleeve, wanting his attention. Due to the wound on her back, she had to sleep either on her stomach or on her right side, because the wound was more severe on her left side.

Zade did what his mate asked of him; he lifted his head and looked at Seara. His blue eyes dimmed.

”I want a kiss,” Seara said. She didn’t know why she blurted that out, but she felt as if Zade were slipping through her fingers. She was afraid that she couldn’t reach him; he felt so distant, though he was right next to her, holding her hand.

Zade was hesitant for a moment before he leaned over and pressed his lips gently on her head. ”You are full of bruises; I don’t know where to kiss you.”

Seara chuckled when she heard that. Yes, she was in pain, but if it was what it took to get him back, then she didn’t mind it. She had gone through worse.

”Are you okay?” Seara asked; she wriggled to sit down. It was tiring to lie down for a long time. ”How are you feeling?”

It had been a week since Seara was admitted here, and she didn’t meet anyone aside from Zade or Rio, the doctor. Zephyr and Ace would come now and then, but they looked so busy.

Yesterday, Zephyr came, and he showed her the picture of Reaper, who was waiting at the door of the bungalow.

The royal gamma even put a flower on top of the wild wolf’s head to make him appear pretty, which was silly, but it managed to lighten Seara’s mood.

”I am fine.” Zade helped her to sit down. He then took a scrunchie to tie her hair up. ”Don’t worry about me.”

After that, Zade helped her with her breakfast. They kept the conversation light between them. They chat about Reaper, the weather, and what movie they would watch for their next date.

But then, Seara talked about Neriah.

”Neriah had not called me yet. I have called her, but her phone is not active, and my messages are not delivered.” Seara looked at Zade. ”She is... fine, right?”

That was when Zade knew he couldn’t hide from Seara any longer about what actually happened to Neriah.

He had tried to find a way to share this information with her as gently as possible, but he still couldn’t find the right way to do it.

Therefore, he could only be honest with her now without sugarcoating his words.

”Neriah didn’t make it that night. The warrior lied to you because you were not in a good condition to receive such news. I ordered them to say that.”

Zade looked at Seara closely, waiting for the outburst. Tears, or grief. He was ready to call Jane if he couldn’t handle Seara’s emotions.

But to his surprise, Seara didn’t show any of that. She stopped eating her fruit and stared at the bowl for a long moment, as if she were contemplating something.

”Did you... bury her?”

”Yes, I gave her a proper burial. You can visit her grave once you get better.” Zade caressed her cheek lightly because the bruise was still visible.

”Okay,” Seara replied. She leaned into his touch.

There was no outburst; there was no sadness. She looked composed.